Background

The Faculty of Nursing and Public Health is one among three faculties under the newly established Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan.

It started as Health School in 1974 in the then, Thimphu General Hospital (TGH. Its main mandate was to train Health Assistants (HA) and Basic Health Workers (BHW) who, at that time were the frontiers of the health service delivery in the country. In 1975, the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) was introduced and together with other two categories of health workers, they formed the Primary Health Care (PHC) team to man the newly established Basic Health Units in the country. Besides offering these courses, the school also conducted in-service training for compounders and vaccinators and in 1978, the training of Assistant Nurse, which had been provided by the matron of the TGH was brought under the school. In 1982, the training of General Nurse Midwife (GNM), a diploma level program was started followed by introduction of certificate courses for medical technicians. The school was then upgraded and renamed as the Royal Institute of Health Science in 1989, after the completion of new institute building at its present location.. In 2003, it became one of the constituent colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan and in the year 2013, it was renamed as Faculty of Nursing and Public Health under the new university. Recently, the faculty has been accredited by the the National Accreditation Board

Currently, the faculty offers four years bachelor degree program in Clinical Counseling, two year in-service bachelor degree programs in Nursing and Midwifery; and in Public Health; three years diploma program in Community Health, Medical Technician and in General Nursing and Midwifery. Besides, it also provides short-term trainings in various areas for in-service health professionals and takes up consultancy services for the Ministry of Health.

The current student enrollment is around 500 full time. The faculty has adequate provisions in terms of hostel, classroom, library and computer services, and games and sports facilities to provide holistic education to its students.

Vision

“Self Reliance and Excellence in Health Human Resource Education and Development for a Healthy and Happy Nation”.

Mission

Produce Competent, Committed and Compassionate health workers who meet the health needs of the people.

Strive to contribute to the realization of Gross National Happiness (GNH) through enhancement and safeguarding the health of the people.

Milestones

1982 started training of General Nurse Midwife and Medical Technicians for hospitals